Twitter did not inspire anything interesting or inspiring today, so I think I'll go off topic and answer a few random questions...
ONE
Can the news be entertaining AND true?
Hmmm... I believe the best answer is "sometimes."
In all honesty, I think only part of what any news source reports is fact. The Spin v. Facts factor dictates that people won't watch the news if it's boring, so dramatizing and exaggerating may seem necessary.
TWO
2. What kind of news would best fill the needs of a democracy with citizens?
I prefer a weekly re-cap over a daily dose of drama. I find that with a weekly paper or report, you get more of the big picture items whereas the daily reports tend to have lots of "filler" crap mixed in with the rest.
THREE
3. Is big media a problem?
No. Not as long as local and small media still thrive. I think that big media is important. We need blockbuster channels and news sources that help keep governmental leaders and businessmen accountable. But don't discount the local papers and channels that shed light onto areas where you can get involved and make a difference in your community and your state.
Exaggerations in news reporting is abundant, and it will happen regardless of the provisions put in place to prevent it. This is the same for bias: there is really nothing we can do to stop it from happening. So long as the media has different perspectives and different guests on their program(s), bias and misinformation will prevail. The truth is still out there for those who will take a little time to look for it.
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